UBC Media closes Cliq mobile music download service

UBC Media's instant music download service Cliq has suffered a blow with the closure of its loss-making mobile phone platform.

The company blamed the closure on the slower than expected takeup of the mobile phone service and the restricted availability of mobile phones with built-in digital audio broadcasting - DAB - radios.

UBC said no further funds would be invested in Cliq, which allows users to download a song they have just heard on a radio station and has cost around £2m to develop.

But UBC added that it would continue to try to incorporate the new technology in other platforms, including Wi-Fi digital radios.

"I remain convinced that transactional revenues will be an important part of the radio industry in the future," said the UBC Media chief executive, Simon Cole.

"For a variety of reasons, including the delay by manufacturers in bringing DAB-connected devices to market, we have tried to lead this process in the interim on the Java mobile phone platform and have not succeeded," Cole added.

"However, the technology, intellectual property and pending patents that we have developed during this process remain within the business. We believe we can exploit these without the need for the high-risk, high-cost exposure to a consumer service."

UBC said it was focused on "reducing risks" and "increasing profitability" in the current market.

In the year to the end of March next year, UBC expects to make savings of £1.2m after closure costs of £1.1m.

Cliq, which was officially launched in December last year, was offered free to listeners of five UK radio stations as part of a 24-hour promotion last month.

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